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Brain Injuries
Research has shown that damage to the brain, particularly the frontal lobes, can alter an individual's behaviour. Studies such as those on Phineas Gage and other neurological conditions have suggested that brain injuries can lead to behavioural changes, including impulsivity, immaturity, loss of self-control, and the inability to modify behaviour.
Phineas Gage
Phineas Gage, a railway worker, survived a severe brain injury when a 3-foot iron rod was driven through his skull, destroying much of his left frontal lobe. Remarkably, Gage survived the accident, regaining consciousness shortly after, and was able to walk and talk. However, his personality dramatically changed. Prior to the accident, he had been responsible and socially well-adjusted, but afterward, he became impulsive, irresponsible, and more extraverted. This dramatic shift in behaviour has been a key case in linking brain injury, particularly damage to the frontal lobe, with behavioural changes.
Brain Diseases and Criminal Behaviour
Some brain diseases, such as encephalitis lethargica, senile dementia, Huntington's chorea, and brain tumours, have been linked to anti-social and criminal behaviour. Historical cases, such as the 1920s encephalitis epidemics, showed that certain brain diseases can lead to destructiveness, impulsiveness, and other abnormal behaviours.
Raine et al. (1997) and Brain Abnormalities in Offenders
Raine et al. (1997) studied 41 offenders who had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Using PET scans, they found reduced activity in areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum. These areas are responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and communication between the brain hemispheres. The study suggests that abnormalities in these brain regions may contribute to violent behaviour, as offenders may have impaired abilities to plan, control impulses, and assess consequences.
Charles Whitman
In 1966, Charles Whitman killed his wife and mother before shooting 17 people, including a police officer. A posthumous autopsy revealed a brain tumour the size of a pecan. Whitman had sought medical help for other issues before the killings, and he described his actions as a form of "mercy," believing he was doing people a favour.
Chris Benoit
Professional wrestler Chris Benoit murdered his wife and young son before hanging himself in 2007. His brain, examined post-mortem, was found to resemble that of a 70-year-old Alzheimer's patient, indicating significant trauma. This case highlights how brain injuries, particularly from repeated trauma, may contribute to violent behaviour.
